Structured Outpatient Program (SOP) in North Carolina: A Compassionate, Evidence-Based Path to Recovery

Three Corners Counseling
2 days ago
4 min read

Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Some people need a highly structured, supportive program but don’t want or can’t attend a traditional Intensive Outpatient Program through a large treatment facility. Others want something more personal, more flexible, and grounded in real-world recovery rather than corporate systems or one-hour-a-week therapy. That’s where the Structured Outpatient Program (SOP) at Three Corners Counseling comes in.

My name is David Newson, LCAS, and I built this program for people who want consistent support, accountability, and evidence-based counseling without feeling like a number in the system. I’ve spent years working in detox, residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient treatment settings across North Carolina. I also have lived experience with addiction, long-term recovery, and rebuilding a life from the ground up. My program is small because I’m small. It’s one clinician, one mission, one client at a time. And as a small business, I care a whole lot more than the corporate giants do.

What Exactly Is a Structured Outpatient Program?

A Structured Outpatient Program offers the same therapeutic intensity and support you’d get in a traditional IOP, but it’s delivered in a more accessible, flexible, and deeply personal way.

The SOP at Three Corners Counseling includes:

Three group sessions per week
Three hours per session
Eight-week program length
Individual counseling support as needed
High accountability
A clear curriculum focused on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, motivation building, trauma-informed care, and practical life skills

It is fully virtual, secure, compliant, and designed to support adults 18+ who want structured recovery support from the comfort of home.

You get the help you need without having to drive across town, sit in waiting rooms, or rearrange your entire life to get treatment.

Who This Program Is For

My SOP is ideal for:

People in early recovery who need consistency and accountability
Clients stepping down from detox, residential, PHP, or IOP
Individuals who have tried weekly therapy but need more structure
People with co-occurring anxiety, depression, or trauma
Adults navigating life stressors, relationship struggles, or work problems that fuel relapse
Court-ordered clients who need a structured, documented recovery program
People who feel disconnected or misunderstood in big treatment centers

If you’ve ever felt like your recovery deserved more attention, more care, and more human connection, this program was literally built for you.

Why I Created This Program

I’ve worked in addiction treatment for years. I’ve helped people at the detox stage, the residential stage, PHP, IOP, and standard outpatient. And I’ve also been the person sitting in the client chair, scared, withdrawing, not sure who I was supposed to become next.

I built my SOP because:

So many people fall through the cracks after residential or detox.
Clients deserve high-quality treatment without driving 45 minutes each way.
There are too few options for people who want virtual support that is still truly structured.
Court-ordered and involved clients often get sent to huge programs where no one remembers their name.
People want recovery support delivered by someone who has actually lived it and understands the messy parts, not just the textbook version.

This program is personal. It’s real-world. And it’s built on connection.

What Makes This SOP Different

You’re not logging into a giant treatment corporation with dozens of rotating clinicians. You’re working with me from start to finish.

Here’s what sets this program apart:

1. Small, Private, Personalized

Only a limited number of clients are accepted into each cohort. You won’t get lost. You won’t feel like you’re one of fifty. You will be known, supported, and checked on.

2. Trauma-Informed, Evidence-Based Curriculum

I integrate:

CBT
Relapse prevention
Cravings management
Attachment-based therapy
Motivational interviewing
Emotional regulation tools
Real-world recovery practices

This isn’t a lecture program. It’s a collaborative, interactive, practical experience.

3. Accessible and Affordable

No driving. No parking. No facility fees. No inflated insurance billing.

Just clear, straightforward support.

4. Perfect for Court-Ordered Clients

My SOP meets the structure and documentation expectations for individuals who need:

Proof of participation
Attendance records
Progress reports
A structured recovery curriculum

I regularly work with people navigating legal or workplace requirements who need real support, not a checkbox.

5. Run by Someone Who Gets It

I’ve lived addiction. I’ve lived recovery. I know what it’s like to be exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure how to start again. You get clinical expertise with human connection.

Program Structure: What You Can Expect

Weekly Flow

Three days a week, we meet for:

Education and skill-building
Group process
Accountability check-ins
Relapse prevention planning
Emotional processing
Grounding and mindfulness

Each week introduces specific themes like:

Cravings and triggers
Shame and identity
Setting boundaries
Understanding trauma
Rebuilding relationships
Developing coping skills
Managing anxiety and depressive symptoms
Restoring structure and stability

Between-Session Support

Clients can schedule:

Individual therapy
Crisis support
Homework reviews
Planning sessions
Motivational check-ins

What Happens After the 8 Weeks

After completing the SOP, you can continue with:

Weekly or biweekly individual counseling
A 4-week aftercare group
Ongoing relapse-prevention support

Recovery doesn’t end at graduation. We build a long-term plan that fits your life.

Why Virtual Structured Treatment Works

Clients often come in assuming virtual won’t feel “real enough,” but what actually happens is:

People are more honest at home
Attendance becomes easier
Anxiety decreases
Barriers drop
Authenticity increases

Virtual treatment gives you access to support without the pressure of a clinical building or rows of chairs. This is treatment that fits into your life. Not the other way around.

Your Recovery Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

If you’re reading this because you’re exploring help, something in you is already leaning toward change. That matters. And you deserve a place that treats your recovery with dignity, warmth, and respect.

The SOP at Three Corners Counseling is not about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about real support from someone who isn’t judging you, rushing you, or pushing you through a system built for mass numbers.

It’s just you, your goals, your story, and a program designed to actually help.